Page 93 of Love in the Wild

“Hadley, you have a hold on me that I can’t explain or understand, and it scares me to death.”

He rubbed a hand down his face and sighed. There was a look of pure sadness on his face that had her swallowing back the lump creeping up her throat.

Was he hurting her? Or was he the one hurting?

He reached for her hand and linked his fingers with hers, but he didn’t look up. “I’ve tasted pure happiness for the first time in my life, and I’m afraid I’ll lose you. This is proof that I’m bound to mess this up. You’re already halfway out the door because I said something wrong.”

Gage was right. She knew what it was like to get confused by feelings and read too much into words. The least she could do would be to give him time to speak his piece.

She’d asked him to, after all.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“No, I’m sorry. I just get caught up in my head. I don’t know how to be a good boyfriend to you.”

Hadley’s mouth was bone dry, and she took a few seconds to weigh her words. He didn’t understand the connection building between them, and how could she blame him? She barely knew how to define it herself.

Wasn’t she currently wrestling with doubts? No wonder he was too. This was new for both of them.

She took a step toward him and steeled her spine. “I’m not trying to leave.”

Gage released her hand and wrapped his arms around her. She rested her head against his chest until she heard his heart beating a quick rhythm just beneath his skin. She gave up trying to suppress her emotions and let a silent tear sneak free. His shirt soaked it up immediately, erasing all evidence.

“I’m not good at this,” he whispered.

“That makes two of us. I get it. The doubts are really loud some days, but I’m proud of all you’ve done. You’re making good decisions and turning things around. That takes guts.”

He rested his cheek on the top of her head. “I’m going to mess this up. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

She chuckled. “Welcome to the club. I haven’t exactly done this before either.”

Gage leaned back and framed her face with his big hands. Holding her gently, he brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. “You’re my sunshine. All my days are dark without you.”

Hadley bit her lips between her teeth. “You don’t need me. You’re doing great.”

“I want you. I want you with me all the time. Please be patient with me.”

“As long as you’re patient with me.”

Gage scoffed. “You’re perfect.”

“I’m not perfect. Far from it. We’re growing and taking chances in our own way, and we’re doing it together. We got this. I’m not going anywhere.”

Gage let out a relieved breath and tilted her chin up. He lowered his head until his lips were inches from hers. Brushing his nose along the side of hers, he closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. “I don’t deserve you.”

Hadley lifted up onto her toes and closed the distance between them. Pressing her mouth hard against his, she let him fill her lungs like the air she needed.

Gage took control of the kiss, moving slow and pressing his lips hard against hers. Every movement was carefully controlled but desperate. Soon, the urgency released, and every brush of his mouth was soft and comforting–a promise to adore and cherish her.

They could do this. They just had to keep listening to each other.

Gage released the kiss and let his hands fall from her face to her waist. Wrapping her in a warm embrace, he whispered against her hair, “Can we stay like this until Travis gets back?”

“I have no objections to that. Promise me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“Promise me you’ll be honest with me. When something is bothering you, just tell me. I’ll try my best to listen and understand.”

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